22-year-old refuses to surrender her first $2.5k paycheck to her family, against cultural tradition: ‘[I need] to protect my own survival’

Do you remember your first job? The start of your long career in a certain field, perhaps? Were you filled with excitement? Dread? A little bit of both?

You were probably counting down the days to receiving your first paycheck. You've never seen that kind of money in your entire life (aside from Mom and Dad's checking accounts). You can't believe that this amount of capital is yours, and only yours. Is this what millionaires feel like?

That first paycheck feeling is unforgettable. You can finally move out of your parents' home, make a living, and decorate your new place the way that you want. Forget about everyone else's opinions; you decide what you do from this point onward. Well, that is, unless your family demands your first paycheck because of a cultural tradition.

We're not an authority on what certain cultures can and can't do, but it's safe to say that the woman new to the workforce is justified in refusing to cough up her first paycheck to her family, especially because she lives on her own and needs it to pay bills. Save for the fact that the woman has a dental procedure and no medical benefits, she has every single reason not to give her paycheck away. There are several ways to honor one's family, but this woman refuses to do so monetarily. What would you do if you were put in this situation? Scroll to read.